d'Arnaud (left thumb) placed on 60-day IL
Atlanta's injury woes continued in Saturday's 6-5 loss in extra innings to the Blue Jays at TD Ballpark.
Catcher Travis d'Arnaud exited the game with a left thumb injury sustained in the sixth inning, and he was placed on the 60-day injured list on Sunday morning.
d'Arnaud tore the ligament in his left thumb, which will require surgery that the team hopes to schedule by the end of the week.
d’Arnaud will spend “at least” 60-days on the IL, according to manager Brian Snitker, who explained that the team plans to see its 2020 Silver Slugger winner later in the season.
d'Arnaud was replaced in the sixth inning by Alex Jackson, but due to a strained left hamstring, Jackson was placed on the 10-day IL.
After Randal Grichuk hit an RBI single with one out to put runners on first and second for the Blue Jays, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ripped a double to left field to plate a second run. Marcell Ozuna fielded the ball cleanly and relayed the throw to Dansby Swanson, who nailed Grichuk trying to score from first. d’Arnaud, however, tagged Grichuk awkwardly and came away from the play wincing.
d’Arnaud tried to stay in the game and took a warmup pitch from Edgar Santana to test out his glove hand, but he left the field accompanied by a trainer and Snitker.
The Braves placed d’Arnaud on the 60-day IL in an effort to make room on the active roster, which is why they also selected the contract of Jeff Mathis for some added depth.
Atlanta signed Mathis to a Minor League deal on March 30, and initially brought on the 16-year veteran for his strong defense behind the plate, rather than his offensive capabilities (he has hit .194 over his career).
William Contreras will fill in as the backup catcher while d’Arnaud recovers from his injury.